In the first ninety pages of The Short Bus the reader sees Jon prepare and depart for his journey on the short bus. He also makes it to his first two destinations, not without a little stress. Jon gets a "short bus" from his mother's friend. It is old and rusty and needs a little help. So, her recruits his sister's friend to help him. When the bust is ready enough, Jon and his girlfriend, at that time, depart. On his way to his first visit Jon and Becky take a little detour. There he asks her to marry him with a plastic ring. She says yes happily, then finish their little trip and head off. His first destination is Albuquerque, New Mexico to see a twelve year-old boy, Brent, and his mother Sara. He spends time with them at their house talking about a lawsuit that Sara is filing. Then they go to Brent's tutoring session. Jon thinks it is sad that a little boy has to spend hours a week in doors learning, when he could be out side playing. At the end of the visit Brent takes Jon paint balling, Brent's favorite activity. They lose their game pretty quickly, but are not upset. Jon and Becky leave to his next stop, which is Austin, Texas. There Jon meets up with an college friend, Kent, and his wife Amanda. Kent has struggled with ADHD for his whole life. His struggles are evident in Jon's visit by the state of his marriage and career. Jon and Kent go to Friday's for lunch then swimming. They finish the visit off with dinner. Afterward, Jon leaves for Richmond, Virginia.